A big part of any sports editor’s job is keeping track. It’s in that spirit that, with the schedule a little slower, I want to take a moment to look back on my first year as the sports editor for the Sun Post.
I arrived at this position in April 2023, having transitioned from a similar role covering Osseo and Maple Grove sports, along with the Osseo school board and Champlin city council, for The Press. Prior to April, most of the schools I cover now were the opposition in my coverage. The task of switching to cover Northwest Suburban Conference teams like the Falcons, Pirates, and Rebels, along with becoming familiar with the likes of Brooklyn Center, Cooper, Breck, and Maranatha, felt daunting for a reporter who had just recently begun to get firm on hold on his previous coverage area. With a little time, however, my worries were put to rest.
This first year with the Sun Post has provided a long list of challenges and opportunities. This area is full of teams looking to meet high expectations and set expectations higher. It’s been easy to plug into the action thanks to the help of coaches, parents, and athletes. Whether it be an opening game, a shot at a first win of the season, a gritty section knockout game, or a state final, my schools have given me a lot to enjoy.
I’ve learned sports and life lessons from discussions with the hard-working coaches here, had my expectations surpassed by ambitious student-athletes, been welcomed by parents from the wrestling team to softball, from Brooklyn Park to east Plymouth, and seen the lasting impact of all of this work through the actions of alumni seeking to create change. Whatever people outside of these communities may expect or say about sports here, I’ve seen the record set straight time after time. I’ve got the photos to prove it too.
To keep things short, I want to take a moment to show appreciation for the part of this job that resonates most with me. Each athlete, team, and school I cover is unique, but there is a through line in this area of relentless work against the odds. Through this job, I get a chance to see just how hard teams, coaches, parents, and community members are working to create change, on and off the field or court, through sports. I remain excited to see the next chapter of those journeys and want to grow the Sun Post sports section to reflect the ever-evolving sports environments of the six cities I cover.
I know there is more work to do to improve the coverage in the Sun Post and I’m committed to continuing that journey through 2024 and heading into 2025. In the meantime, I appreciate the support and cooperation of all passionate about sports in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, New Hope, Golden Valley, and Robbinsdale. I know there is still so much to learn from the many coaches, athletes, and community members who have made these communities homes to rich athletics legacies.
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